06/28/2012

Pope Benedict Declares Anti-Mafia Priest A Martyr

In 1993 anti-Mafia priest Giuseppe "Pino" Puglisi was murdered by the Sicilian Mafia or Cosa Nostra, and today Pope Benedict XVI issued a decree naming him a martyr for being "killed in hatred of the faith" which clears Father Puglisi's way for sainthood as reported by Expatica Spain:

Puglisi, who was known as an outspoken opponent of organised crime, was gunned down in front of his home. Two local Mafia bosses, Filippo and Giuseppe Graviano, were convicted of ordering the killing and sentenced to life in prison in 2001 and 1999 respectively. He had worked in Palermo's Mafia-controlled Brancaccio neighbourhood, trying to help youngsters stay away from the Mafia. He publicly addressed the problem of organised crime and his murderer later declared that when he fired a bullet in the nape of his neck the priest said with a smile, "I expected this."